Chaelbs maetell



G. MARTELL.

(ModeL) BOX FASTENER.

Patented Dec. 27,1881.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

CHARLES MA-RTELL, OF VAOAVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

BOX-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,449, dated December 27, 1881.

Application filed August 12, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES MARTELL, of Vacaville, county of Solano, State of Oalifor- V nia, have invented an Improved Box-Fasten. ing; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to the class of boxes, and more especially to certain improvements in the fastenings thereof. The object thereof is to make an easy and secure fastening for the lid.

It consists in providing the ends of the lid with bent clips, which fit down in grooves 01' notches in the ends of the box, and are secured therein by a strap and the action of a spring clip, as will be fully seen hereinafter.

The invention, although applicable to every form of box, is especially intended for fruitboxes, as convenience demands in that case an easy means for securing or removing the lid.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig.3 is a detail ofconstrucnon.

Let A represent a box of any kind, though I have here shown it with open spaces or slits, as in fruit-boxes, the purpose being ventilation. In the tops of the ends of the box are cut grooves or notches a. Upon one end of the box, bolted or screwed to the outside, is a metal strap, B, the top portion'ot" which is bent at right angles and-extends within the notch a. 1n the notch on the other end is a pin or lug, 0, stand ing upright. This end of the box, on the inside,has secured to it the spring D. The top part of the spiing is formed with a shoulder at c, and it has an inclined thumb-piece, (I.

LetErepresentthe lid, shown here as formed of two pieces secured together by cross-pieces. A space is left betwt en the two pieces. To the end of the lid are securedmetal strips F, which I call bent clips, and which extend down between the pieces of the lid. They are provided with notches e in their outer sides.

To put the cover on the box the bent clip F 5 is slipped in under the metal strap B. This places the other end of the cover so that the notch e in the bent clip F will fit over the pin 0, and its inner edge will press against the inclined thumb-piece d of the spring. By pressing on the lid it slips down and the spring D throws its shoulder a over the bent clip, thus locking the lid. The lid can have but small play, for it cannot move one way because of the strap B and it cannot move the other way because of the pin 0. To remove it the thumb must press the spring D back, so that the bent clip may pass it, when it may be drawn out of the strap B. By having the notches e in both bent clips either end of the lid may be used. The notches a in the box keep the lid steady by preventing much side play when the box is used roughly.

It is obvious that I could substitute for the strap B a screw in the notch a. The notch e in the bent clip could fit under the screw-head and be held in the same way. The principle would not be affected. I could hinge the lid to one end, if desirable, or otherwise secure it, and still maintain the fastening or looking portion upon the other end intact.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isp The box A, having the end notches, a, one of which is provided with the strap B and the other with the upright pin 0, in combination with the lid or cover E, having the bent clips F, and the notches e for the reception of pin 0, and the spring D, all arranged in the manner substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have heleunto set my hand.

CHARLES MA RTELIJ.

Witnesses:

WM. F. Boo'rn, S. H. Nounsn. 

